Jindal signs optometrists bill, other legislation

Jindal signs optometrists bill, other legislation

Gov. Bobby Jindal took optometrists’ side on controversial legislation that stirred up the state’s medical community.

Jindal announced Thursday he signed into law House Bill 1065. The bill allows optometrists to increase their workload by performing injections into the eyelid to treat styes and tackling laser procedures that don’t involve anesthetic or stitches.

The legislation caused controversy because it allows optometrists, who are not physicians, to expand their practices. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors; optometrists are not.

Jason Durham, who calls himself a DADvocate, took to Twitter Thursday night to find out if the governor signed legislation involving Durham’s developmentally disabled daughter, Bailey. Jindal did indeed sign House Bill 185.

Dubbed Bailey’s Law, the bill allows family members to direct health care workers. According to the state Department of Health and Hospitals, the bill also allows the disabled to “hire an individual of their choice to provide in-home support rather than going through a specific provider agency to access care.”

A prohibition against talking on a cellphone during posted school zone hours now is state law. However, there’s a catch. The $175 maximum fine for a first-time violation of House Bill 370 only would take effect if school districts put up signs warning motorists to put down their cellphones.

House Bill 289 — which also was signed by the governor — creates the Tara Subdivision Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Improvement District. Property owners can be charged $100 per parcel the first year of the district for security and other expenses. The maximum annual fee rises to $200 in subsequent years.

House Bill 547, to require the purchase of new seating for public seating areas in state buildings to include at least 5 percent chairs with arms. Public colleges, stadiums, arenas and cafeterias are exempt.